Improving the Holiday Shopping Experience

The holidays are stressful for most people, but some mindful strategies can help mitigate the stress—especially the financial stress of overspending, taking on debt, and running out of money. To make the most of the holiday season, minding certain priorities can help create a more positive experience. To have a more meaningful and pleasant holiday, some common and important goals include:

· Avoiding large debt

· Keeping personal data secure

· Reducing stress

· Setting oneself up for better financial management next year

Want to get the most out of the holiday shopping, traveling, and celebrating season without breaking the bank or succumbing to stress? Some simple tips can help out:

Start with a budget

A realistic budget is the most important way to start your holiday shopping and spending plan if money is tight and you want to avoid debt after the holiday is over. Holiday budgets often begin with a list of people to buy for and dedicated amounts you can spend on each person. To keep the budget realistic, don’t forget those non-gift expenses that are likely to come up, including: travel, food, décor, and charitable giving.

Use trusted websites

Shopping online has eclipsed in-person retail shopping for many people, and the number of online stores and retail sites seems to grow each year. While shopping online, especially from a mobile phone, offers both convenience and speed, it comes with its own risks. Many people are not comfortable with the amount of personal data collected and stored, so choosing trusted sites with account security protocols is an important step in minimizing the chance of a data breach. Be cautious sharing information with sites you’ve never heard of before or who ask for a lot of personal or financial information. Using trusted sites with verifiable reputations puts consumers’ minds more at ease that their personal and financial information will be treated with greater security and protection.

Track your expenses

Regular reviewing of spending is essential for staying on budget. During and after the holidays shopping season, it is advisable to compare check registries, bank statements, credit statements, and other financial documents to track spending and to make sure that balances and totals match. Online tools that keep automatic records for you can improve both accuracy and efficiency, and they can be called up instantly whenever you want to contrast records.

Consider online financial planning tools

Some personal budgeting and financial management apps are available for low cost to help get a handle on debt and provide oversight into spending habits. Online tools for better personal finances can help users set financial goals, track spending, and analyze where the money is going so that accumulating a growing debt does not become a holiday tradition.

Checkeeper is used by individuals and households, as well as by businesses

Checkeeper is widely used by individuals, as well as by businesses, particularly busy people who want the convenience of on-demand payment options without all the hidden fees. Checkeeper offers a cloud-based, online update to traditional check writing and puts in your hands, on demand, a customized check exactly when you need it. All information on the check appears exactly as input, giving users the option to update, edit, re-edit, design, and redesign their checks as often as needed. All payment details on each check are automatically recorded and stored in an accessible online registry, putting an end to omitted payments, forgotten entries, duplications, and other recording errors so that personal expense tracking is easier, faster, and more accurate. No more outdated checks and checkbooks or erroneously-recorded registries that throw off the balancing for users who opt for Checkeeper; Checkeeper goes where you do, travels light, works on small budgets, and is accessible 24/7 from any device that can get a connection.